Cutts’ lawyers drop request to close hearings

Tuesday

Sep 25, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 25, 2007 at 8:42 AM

Attorneys for Bobby L. Cutts Jr. this morning dropped their request to close pretrial hearings in his case to the press. The defense sought to bar the media from any hearings where evidence was discussed, arguing that media reports could taint the pool of prospective jurors.

Staff reports

Attorneys for Bobby L. Cutts Jr. this morning dropped their request to close pretrial hearings in his case to the press.

The defense sought to bar the media from any hearings where evidence was discussed, arguing that media reports could taint the pool of prospective jurors.

In court papers, Stark County prosecutors said they recognized that the right of a public trial extends to pretrial hearings and that the issue of closing hearings was within the court’s discretion.

Stark County Common Pleas Judge Charles E. Brown Jr. was scheduled to hold a hearing on the issue Friday.

Cutts has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges tied to the death of Jessie M. Davis, 26, of Lake Township. Davis was nine months pregnant when she disappeared, prompting a massive search that drew national media attention. Her body was recovered June 23 in a Summit County park.

Cutts, a Canton police officer, is suspended without pay. He and Davis have a young son, and Davis’ family has said he was the father of the unborn child, a girl to be named Chloe.